Hi. I would like to share dfhacks manipulator.cpp extended with the following features:
An extra tab mode reveals units physical and mental attributes in a compact grid which is highlighted to improve readability. Coloring shows strong and weak attributes and also shows which particular attributes are exercised by the currently focused job & unit.
The labor activation grid can also be color hinted to reveal best and worst performing roles for each unit. This aptitude coloring can demystify labor assignment and even for seasoned dwarf therapists could provide an intresting alternative account of the assigned labors.
The aptitude ratings numeric scores (0~200) are also displayed along side the existing skill and experience rating fields.
There are 9 theme options in total: legacy b&w, 4 tinted monocrome modes, and 4 degrees of aptitude hinting to choose from. The theme is cycled with a hotkey and setting is saved with the game and carrys to new games in the current session.
Sorting is developed with simpler controls, subtle tweaks and highlighting of "group sorts" and with extra sorts by scores calculated of civil, performer, scholar, academic and martial skills and aptitudes.
Here is arrival groups subsorted by martial,
An extra tab mode calculates and reveals 'notices' which are strings of tips generated from various unit flags such as: DngrTrrn, RqRescue, RqDoctor, Trappd, Intoxcd. The notices are not exhaustive but are suprisingly informative for ongoing situations and tracking recovery.
Here they are recounting the death throws of the fallen:
Other tweaks include, persistent selection and focus to alleviate the impact of acidental exit, and pet nicknaming is handy for selection of sturdiest work animals.
Some of the added code is substantial and some maybe too crafty but I think it is fairly well encapsulated and serviceable. The current version has been quite thoroughly playtested on Debian df v43.
I hope the dfhack project can find time to try this and hopefully pass these features on to other players, there is an open pull request at the repo.
Here is a mode like 'matrix blue pill' (Its just the blue highlight-set applied to all).